Scottish Stovies with Haggis
A hearty and comforting dish, Stovies is a traditional Scottish way of using up leftover roasted meat and potatoes, often enriched with the addition of crumbled haggis for an extra layer of flavour and texture.

๐ง Ingredients
- 1 kg Potatoes(peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 2 large Onions(finely chopped)
- 50 g Butter
- 300 g Haggis(crumbled)
- 2 tbsp Beef or lamb dripping (optional)
- 200 ml Stock (beef or vegetable)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
Place the potato chunks in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to the boil. Cook for 5-7 minutes until just tender, then drain thoroughly.
๐ก Tip: Don't overcook the potatoes at this stage, as they will cook further in the pan. - 2
In a large, heavy-based frying pan or casserole dish, melt the butter (and dripping, if using) over a medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook gently for 8-10 minutes until softened and translucent, but not browned.
- 3
Add the crumbled haggis to the pan with the onions. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the haggis as it cooks.
- 4
Add the par-boiled potatoes to the pan. Stir gently to combine with the onion and haggis mixture. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
๐ก Tip: Be careful not to break up the potatoes too much. - 5
Pour in the stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and have started to break down slightly, creating a thick, stew-like consistency.
๐ก Tip: The longer it simmers, the more the flavours will meld. - 6
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
๐ก Pro Tips
- โTraditionally, stovies were made with leftover roast meat and gravy. Feel free to add shredded cooked meat if you have it.
- โIf the mixture seems too dry during cooking, add a little more stock or water.
- โFor a crispier finish, you can uncover the pan for the last 10 minutes of cooking to allow some of the liquid to evaporate and the potatoes to brown slightly.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other leftover cooked vegetables like carrots or swede.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the haggis and use vegetable stock. Consider adding mushrooms for extra umami.